Vehicle wheels

ABSTRACT

A vehicle wheel having at least two wheel parts secured together by an injected plastic locking member contained in an annular space formed between cooperating configurations of the two wheel parts.

United States Patent Peter G. Ware [72] Inventor Rugby, England [21]Appl. No. 803,198

[22] Filed Feb. 28, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] AssigneeDunlop Holdings Limited London, England [32] Priority Mar. 15, 1968, May1, 1968 [33] Great Britain [31] 12585/68 and 22771/68 54 VEHICLE WHEELS24 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs. 52 us. c1. .Q 301/63 R, 29/15901, 29/15903,156/294 51 1111. C1. B60b 23/00 [50] Field of Search 29/159.01; 249/56;301/63, 65, 64; 156/293, 294; 152/47-51 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,795,821 3/1931 Baldwin 152/47 3,480,964 11/1969 Siler156/294 X FOREIGN PATENTS 221,089 1/1958 Australia 301/63 PrimaryExaminer-Richard J. Johnson AttorneyStevens, Davis, Miller & MosherABSTRACT: A vehicle wheel having at least two wheel parts securedtogether by an injected plastic locking member contained in an annularspace formed between cooperating configurations of the two wheel parts.

PATENTEDUBT 12 I97! 3,612,614 sum 1 0F 3 FIGI IN vsuron PETER 6 WEREPTTDKI E/J PATENTEDum 12 |97| SHEET 30F 3 FIGS lIWENT R PETER 6. wnxEHTT RIIEyS VEHICLE WHEELS This invention relates to vehicle wheels.

ln a vehicle wheel of the kind comprising a one-piece tire supportingrim and a load supporting disc the disc is usually attached to the rimby means of riveted or welded joints. These methods of attachment aredisadvantageous in that riveted joints often allow leakage of air froman associated tire mounted on the rim and welding is an expensiveoperation.

In addition in a vehicle wheel of the kind described it is necessary toprovide the rim with an inwardly depressed central portion or well tofacilitate mounting and demounting of a tire, and this depressed portionreduces the space available within the confines of the wheel for abrake.

' One object of the present invention is to provide an improved methodof wheel construction.

According to one aspect of the invention a method for the assembly of avehicle wheel having a load supporting disc part and a tire supportingrim formed from at least one annular rim part, comprises securing inposition at least one of the said parts by injection of a thermoplasticor thermosetting material in a liquid or plastic state into at least onecircumferentially extending annular space formed between cooperatingconfigurations of two of the said parts, then allowing the material tosolidify to form a locking member in situ.

According to a further aspect of theinvention there is provided avehicle wheel assembled by a method as described in the precedingparagraph.

According to a still further aspect of the invention a method formounting a tire on a wheel having a load'supporting disc part and a tiresupporting rim formed from at least two annular rim parts, said methodcomprises mounting the tire on one of said rim parts, assembling thewheel, and securing together at least two of the said rim parts by theinjection of a thermoplastic or thermosetting material in a liquid orplastic state into at least one annular space formed between cooperatingconfigurations of at least two of the wheel partsand allowing thematerial to solidify to form a locking member in situ.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. l-8 are axial cross-sectional views of portions of wheelsaccording to the invention.

In one embodiment of the inventionas seen in FIG. 1 a-vehiclewheelcomprises a one-piece rim 1 and a cast or forged disc 2. The rim isof the conventional-kind having a radially inwardly depressed centralportion 3 to facilitate mounting and demounting of an associated tire, abead-seating region 4 and a bead-retaining flange 5 at each end. Part 6of the central portion 3 is pressed radially outwardly to define acircumferentially extending channel in the radially inner surface of theportion 3.

The peripheral portion 7 of the disc 2is of cylindrical form and fitswithin and in contact with the radially inner surface of the centralportion 3. A circumferentially extending channel in the form of a groove8 is formed in the portion 7 and the disc and rim are arranged so thatthe channels are in confronting relationship and define acircumferentially extending annular space between the two portions 3,7.

Four small holes 9 are formed in the peripheral portion of the disccommunicating with the annular space. The four holes are arranged atequally spaced positions along the'circumference of the cylindricalperipheral portion 7 of the disc 2. Thermosetting or thermoplasticmaterial in the liquid state is injected into the annular space throughtwo diametrically opposed holes and displaced air escapes from the othertwo holes.

The injected material sets hard on cooling to form a ring of solidmaterial 10 which acts both as a sealing member to prevent escape of airfrom an associated tire mounted on the rim (not shown) and as a lockingmember to resist shear forces tending to separate the rims and the disc.

in a second embodiment of the invention as seen in FIG. 2 the rimcomprises a first annular part 11 and a second annular part 12. The discpart 2 is formed in a cup shape and welded at its outer peripheralportion 7 to the radially inner periphera surface of a circumferentiallyextending portion 13 ofthe first rim part 11 in such a manner that thesubstantially radial part of'the disc body is on the outboard side ofthe wheel and the first rim part 11 is on the inboard side of the wheel.The outboard and inboard sides of the wheel referred to are the sides ofthe wheel that are designed to face respectively outwards and inwards toan associated vehicle body. The first rim part 1 1 has a stepped shape,the portion of smaller diameter 13, to which is welded the disc 2,fitting coaxially within and in contact with the radially inner surfaceof a circumferentially ex-' tending portion 14 of the second rim part12. Both rim parts are shaped at their axially outer peripheralportions, with respect to the central radial plane of the wheel, to giveconventional bead-seating regions 4 and rim flanges 5. Part 15 of theportion 14 of the second rim part 12 is pressed radially outwardly andpart 16 of the portion 13 of the first rim part 11 is pressed radiallyinwardly so that confronting circumferential channels are formed in theportions 13,14 of the rim parts 11,12,.these channels defining anannular space between the two portions 13,14.

A tire (not shown) is mounted in position on one rim part prior toassembly of the wheel. The wheel is then assembled and the rim parts arelocked together, holding the tire in position, by injection of athermosetting or thermoplastic material intothe annular space betweenthe rim parts to provide an annular locking and sealing'member 10.

In the event that it is considered desirable to separate the rimcomponents at some stage after assembly and use of the wheel the lockingand sealing member 10 is formed from a thermoplastic material. Localheating of the member 10 by electrical induction or other means willthen enable the rim components to be drawn apart by suitable mechanicalor hydraulic means.

Additional mechanicalstrength can be given to the ring of injectedmaterial by introducing one or more strands of wire or metal ribbon intothe annular space prior to injecting the material. The ends of thestrands may be exposed so that the strands can be withdrawn to allowseparation of the rim components, in the case where the material is athermoplastic material, after heating the rim so as to soften thethermoplastic material. 3

In a third embodiment of' the invention as seen in FIG. 3 the two rimparts 11, 12 are of similar diameter, the peripheral portion 7 of thedisc 2 is welded to a circumferentially extend? ing portion 14 of theoutboard rim part 12 and a circumferentially extending portion 13 of theinboard rim part 11 is locked'to the disc by thermoplastic orthermosetting locking members 10 within two adjacent annular spacesformed between the peripheral portion 7 of the disc 2 and the portion 13of the inboard rim part 12.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention as seen in FIG. 4

the two rim parts 11,12 are of similar diameter and they areboth lockedto the peripheral portion 7 of the disc 2 by means of'thermosetting orthermoplastic locking members 10 within annular spaces formed betweenthe peripheral portion 7 of the disc and circumferentially extendingportions 13,14 of the rim parts 11,12. A vehicle wheel according-to thisembodiment may be assembled without need for welding at any stage.

In a modification of this embodiment as seen in FIG. 5 the disc 2 iscast or forged and the peripheral portion 7 of the disc 2 is formed withcircumferentially extending grooves 17,18 which provide the channels inthe disc portion 7.

In a fifth embodiment of the invention as seen in FIG. 6 a light alloycast'disc 2 is shaped at its peripheral portion effectively to give afirst or outboard rim part comprising a rim flange 5 and bead-seatingregion 4 integral with the disc 2. The inboard rim part 11 has on itsoutboard side a circumferentially extending peripheral portion 13 ofsmaller diameter which fits coaxially within and is locked to thebead-seating portion 4 of the outboard rim part 12 by means of a lockingmember 10 within an annular space formed by a circumferentiallyextending groove 20 in the outboard bead-seating portion 4 and aconfronting channel in the outboard peripheral portion 13 of the inboardrim part 11. This embodiment has the advantage that the disc body isintegral with the outboard rim flange, obviating the need for rimembellishments which are often provided for stylistic reasons on wheelswhich have the disc attached to the central portion of the rim. Inaddition, the bead-seating region, since it is an integral part of thedisc, may be provided with a passage connecting the air chamber of anassociated tire with an inflation valve mounted in the disc (not shown).

In a modified form, as seen in FIG. 7, the embodiment described in thepreceding paragraph comprises a light alloy cast disc 2 shaped at itsperipheral portion effectively to give a first or outboard rim part 12integral with the disc and having a stepped shape, the portion 14 ofsmaller diameter fitting coaxially within and being locked, by means ofa thermosetting or thermoplastic locking member 10 within an annularspace formed between the rim parts, to the outboard peripheral portion13 of the inboard rim part.

In a sixth embodiment of the invention as seen in FIG. 8 the outboardrim part 12 extends across the whole width of the rim and the inboardrim part 11 consists only of the inboard bead-seating region 4 andflange of the wheel, the inboard rim part 11 fitting coaxially aroundthe inboard peripheral portion 14 of the outboard rim part 12 and anannular space for the locking member being formed between the two parts11,12. The annular space is close to the inboard face of the wheel rimand only two holes arranged at diametrically opposed positions areprovided for injection of the material into the space, displaced airescaping between the inboard rim flange 5 and the outboard rim part 12.Material injected into the annular space also exudes between the inboardrim flange 5 and the rim part 12 giving a ring 21 of the injectedmaterial on the inboard rim face at the base of the inboard flange 5.This ring 21 is pressed flat before hardening to give a surface on whichmay be impressed, for example, relevant wheel data.

In the vehicle wheels described above the final assembly step involvesinjection of the thermosetting or thermoplastic material into one ormore annular spaces, any step involving welding having been completed inan earlier stage in the assembly of the wheel. Consequently a tire maybe mounted in position on the rim before final assembly of the wheeltakes place. This obviates the need for a well in the rim to facilitatemounting of the tire and thus more space is available within theconfines of the wheel for a brake.

In the vehicle wheels described above two or more wheel parts aresecured together against axial displacement by the injection of athermosetting or thermoplastic material into one or more annular spacesformed between the wheel parts. Preferably, means is also provided toensure that relative circumferential displacement of the wheel partsdoes not take place under the influence of circumferential forces, forexample, braking torque in the case where the wheel is intended for usewith an associated brake, while permitting axial displacement of thewheel parts during assembly of the wheel. Any suitable means may beemployed for preventing relative circumferential movement of the wheelparts, for example interlocking projections and depressions may beformed on the wheel parts, or the wheel parts may be shaped to provideaxially extending spaces communicating with the annular spaces intowhich the injected material can flow to form, on solidifying, limbportions extending axially from the locking mem bers.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A vehicle wheel comprising a load supporting disc part and a rimadapted to support a pneumatic tire formed from at least one annular rimpart, at least two of the said parts being interlocking secured togetherin abutting contact against axial separation solely by means of anonresilient locking member formed from injection moulded thermoplasticmaterial contained in a circumferentially extending annular space formedbetween cooperating channel configurations of the said two parts.

2. A vehicle wheel according to claim 1 wherein the rim is formed fromone annular rim part.

3. A vehicle wheel according to claim 2 wherein a circumferentiallyextending portion of the disc part fits within and in contact with theradially inner surface of a circumferentially extending portion of therim, the disc part and the rim part being secured together'by means ofsaid locking member.

4. A vehicle wheel according to claim 3 wherein the rim has a radiallyinwardly depressed central portion or well which constitutes the saidcircumferentially extending portion of the rim.

5. A vehicle wheel according to claim 3 wherein the annular spacebetween the two portions is formed by confronting circumferentiallyextending channels formed respectively in the two portions.

6. A vehicle wheel according to claim 5 wherein the chan' nels areformed in the said two portions by deformation of the said two portionsin a radial direction.

7. A vehicle wheel according to claim 5 wherein the disc part is cast orforged and formed with a circumferentially extending groove in its saidcircumferentially extending portion to provide the channel in the saidportion.

8. A vehicle wheel according to claim 1 wherein the rim is formed fromtwo annular rim parts.

9. A vehicle wheel according to claim 8 wherein a circumferentiallyextending portion of the disc part fits within and in contact with theradially inner surfaces of circumferentially extending portions of thetwo rim parts, the disc part and at least one of the rim parts beingsecured together by means of said locking member contained in acircumferentially extending annular space formed between cooperatingconfigurations of the said portions of the disc part and the saidportion of the rim part.

10. A vehicle wheel according to claim 9 wherein each rim part issecured to the disc part by means of a locking member contained in acircumferentially extending annular space formed between cooperatingconfigurations of the said portion of the disc part and the said portionof the rim part.

11. A vehicle wheel according to claim 9 wherein one only of the rimparts is secured to the disc part by means of said locking membercontained in a circumferentially extending annular space formed betweencooperating configurations of the said portions of the disc part and thesaid portion of the rim part.

12. A vehicle wheel according to claim 11 wherein the other rim part iswelded to the disc part.

13. A vehicle wheel according to claim 11 wherein the other rim part isformed integrally with the disc part.

14. A vehicle wheel according to claim 8 wherein a circumferentiallyextending portion of one of the rim parts fits within and in contactwith the radially inner surface of a circumferentially extending portionof the other rim part and the two rim parts are secured together bymeans of a locking member contained in a circumferentially extendingannular space formed between cooperating configurations of the twoportions.

15. A vehicle wheel according to claim 14 wherein the said other rimpart constitutes the bead-seating region and flange at one end of thewheel.

16. A vehicle wheel according to claim 14 wherein the disc part iswelded at its peripheral portion to one of the rim parts.

17. A vehicle wheel according to claim 16 wherein the disc part isformed integrally with one of the rim parts.

18. A vehicle wheel according to claim 1 wherein at least one strand ofwire is embedded in the said material.

19. A vehicle wheel according to claim 18 wherein one end of the saidstrand is exposed so that the strand can be withdrawn after softeningthe thermoplastic material by heating.

20. A vehicle wheel according to claim 1 wherein at least one metallicribbon is embedded in the said material.

21. A vehicle wheel according to claim 20 wherein one end of the ribbonis exposed so that the ribbon can be withdrawn after softening thethermoplastic material by heating.

least one of the said two parts. g

24. A vehicle wheel according to claim 22 wherein at least one of thetwo parts is provided with a roughened surface engaging the other partto provide the said locking means.

1. A vehicle wheel comprising a load supporting disc part and a rimadapted to support a pneumatic tire formed from at least one annular rimpart, at least two of the said parts being interlocking secured togetherin abutting contact against axial separation solely by means of anonresilient locking member formed from injection moulded thermoplasticmaterial contained in a circumferentially extending annular space formedbetween cooperating channel configurations of the said two parts.
 2. Avehicle wheel according to claim 1 wherein the rim is formed from oneannular rim part.
 3. A vehicle wheel according to claim 2 wherein acircumferentially extending portion of the disc part fits within and incontact with the radially inner surface of a circumferentially extendingportion of the rim, the disc part and the rim part being securedtogether by means of said locking member.
 4. A vehicle wheel accordingto claim 3 wherein the rim has a radially inwardly depressed centralportion or well which constitutes the said circumferentially extendingportion of the rim.
 5. A vehicle wheel according to claim 3 wherein theannular space between the two portions is formed by confrontingcircumferentially extending channels formed respectively in the twoportions.
 6. A vehicle wheel according to claim 5 wherein the channelsare formed in the said two portions by deformation of the said twoportions in a radial direction.
 7. A vehicle wheel according to claim 5wherein the disc part is cast or forged and formed with acircumferentially extending groove in its said circumferentiallyextending portion to provide the channel in the said portion.
 8. Avehicle wheel according to claim 1 wherein the rim is formed from twoannular rim parts.
 9. A vehicle wheel according to claim 8 wherein acircumferentially extending portion of the disc part fits within and incontact with the radially inner surfaces of circumferentially extendingportions of the two rim parts, the disc part and at least one of the rimparts being secured together by means of said locking member containedin a circumferentially extending annular space formed betweencooperating configurations of the said portions of the disc part and thesaid portion of the rim part.
 10. A vehicle wheel according to claim 9wherein each rim part is secured to the disc part by means of a lockingmember contained in a circumferentially extending annular space formedbetween cooperating configurations of the said portion of the disc partand the said portion of the rim part.
 11. A vehicle wheel according toclaim 9 wherein one only of the rim parts is secured to the disc part bymeans of said locking member contained in a circumferentially extendingannular space formed between cooperating configurations of the saidportions of the disc part and the said portion of the rim part.
 12. Avehicle wheel according to claim 11 wherein the other rim part is weldedto the disc part.
 13. A vehicle wheel according to claim 11 wherein theother rim part is formed integrally with the disc part.
 14. A vehiclewheel according to claim 8 wherein a circumferentially extending portionof one of the rim parts fits within and in contact with the radiallyinner surface of a circumferentially extending portion of the other rimpart and the two rim parts are secured together by means of a lockingmember contained in a circumferentially extending annular space formedbetween cooperating configurations of the two portions.
 15. A vehiclewheel according to claim 14 wherein the said other rim part constitutesthe bead-seating region and flange at one end of the wheel.
 16. Avehicle wheel according to claim 14 wherein the disc part is welded atits peripheral portion to one of the rim parts.
 17. A vehicle wheelaccording to claim 16 wherein the disc part is formed integrally withone of the rim parts.
 18. A vehicle wheel according to claim 1 whereinat least one strand of wire is embedded in the said material.
 19. Avehicle wheel according to claim 18 wherein one end of the said strandis exposed so that the strand can be withdrawn after softening thethermoplastic material by heating.
 20. A vehicle wheel according toclaim 1 wherein at least one metallic ribbon is embedded in the saidmaterial.
 21. A vehicle wheel according to claim 20 wherein one end ofthe ribbon is exposed so that the ribbon can be withdrawn aftersoftening the thermoplastic material by heating.
 22. A vehicle wheelaccording to claim 1 wherein locking means is provided to preventrelative circumferential displacement of the two parts.
 23. A vehiclewheel according to claim 22 wherein the locking means comprises at leastone limb portion extending from the locking member which engages arecess defined by at least one of the said two parts.
 24. A vehiclewheel according to claim 22 wherein at least one of the two parts isprovided with a roughened surface engaging the other part to provide thesaid locking means.